Kathmandu, April 5:

Valley dwellers who are concerned about their oral health and hygiene need to be concerned more than just their teeth, as the city has become inundated with non-qualified and self-proclaimed dentists.

Dental hygienists, who are trained to help dentists in their clinics, have begun to open private practice clinics and title themselves as doctors.

“This has become such a strong trend that more than 600 of these illegal clinics have been functioning in the Valley and no authority is taking any action or notice of this,” said Dr Sameer Aryal, renowned dentist and treasurer of Nepal Dental Association.

Not only are the individuals paving the way for themselves, many affluent educational institutions are also supporting such acts for easy publicity and money.

“We have been fighting against this adulteration in profession for a very long time now. Though concerned authorities, including the Ministry of Health and Population, have already written against this trend, we have been openly challenged by the supporters of this act,” Aryal added.

Dental works include as much delicate treatment as other health problems. Sterilisation of needles and proper balanced handwork is the most important for this work.

“Patients, themselves, have to be wary of where they go and how the treatment is done because there can be risks of contracting HIV, Hepatitis and other diseases if medical tools have not been methodically sanitised,” said Dr Suraj Rambhakta Mathema, president of Nepal Dental Association.

It takes only about three years of education to become a dental hygienist, while it takes almost six years of education, an internship, and an entrance test at the National Health Council to start practising as a dentist.

“It is illegal to practise any form of health treatment without expertise.

It is unethical to play around with people’s health,” said Mathema.